When 2017's New Year Day, it was a rainy day and I was at the airport. I came to Canada. I said goodbye without hugging my parents but turned around as fast as I could. I was afraid my tears would drop. I heard my mom sobbing, but I dared not look back. I never thought I would shed tears at the airport, but that day, I understood how hard it was to say goodbye without crying. At that moment, I did not know what would happen next. The first year of my international student's life was definitely full of challenges, and I was not happy at all. Nobody knew how much pressure I bore in this completely new environment, where I could barely speak English. Nobody knew and cared about my feelings. I could not understand them and I could not express my feelings. Sometimes, I even could not understand their jokes. But I did not want to be an outsider, and I followed them and laughed. I got their doubtful looks and also knew they were thinking, “Why is she laughing?” Nobody knew. Many times I wanted to escape, and just take the 10-hour flight home. I was always lonely and even desperate. Finally, in this battle, I raised the white flag, and I started to indulge myself for a long time. One day, I received a letter from my parents to expect about my future. I realized that I had kept disappointing my parents who devoted everything to me. I knew that my parents had high expectations of me. They dedicated everything to me. Shouldn't I spend my life trying to make my life more meaningful? Yes, I want to have a meaningful life and let my parents proud. Therefore, I decided to change. I started to step out of my comfort zone and talk to someone new. I tried to talk with my teachers, and they were all very patient because they knew that my English is not perfect. They gave me much encouragement and time to let me practice. I also made a few local friends. I tried to use English to tell the stories about my homeland, China. Although my English made these stories hard to understand, I received people's kind smile and approval. It seemed like life was not that hard. I said to myself, “Maybe I should be more positive and just enjoy it.” During this time, my family had been in constant contact with me, and I had been given great encouragement every time. Because of the change, I became happier and more hopeful day by day. Time passed quickly, and gradually, loneliness and nostalgia no longer afflict me. Nowadays, I feel so proud and honored with my own progress and the infinite love and support from my family. My dream is the force behind my better life. Last summer was the my first time back to China. When I went back to Canada, it was a rainy day again, just like the day when I left for the first time. It reminded me of my favourite poem by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, “ If life cheats you, don’t be disappointed and worried. Calmness is needed in melancholy days. Believe that pleasantness is coming. Long for the bright future though you are unhappy. All will pass by and everything will be over. Past things will be pleasant memories. ” There were no tears at the airport
14 Comments
Nevada
3/2/2020 10:38:30 am
I really loved this story. I think that it is incredible that you were able to overcome these feelings. I learned from this story that personal change is a choice. You have to decide what you want your life to be like.
Reply
izzy
3/2/2020 10:39:18 am
wow shirley, this blog inspired me. i am so proud of you for coming so far. it can be very scary in a new place and then you made friends ! this blog gave me hope that i could change to be happy aswell. im so happy that you are happy here now. you said you were tired of being sad, you realized you needed to change... and you did that!!
Reply
riley
3/2/2020 10:39:36 am
It mush have been so hard for you to come to a new country by yourself. Goodbyes are very hard. I can relate to that feeling of only seeing my cousins every 2 years. They live in europe. I wish they lived closer. New beginings are a good thing even though they may no seem good at first. I am glad you are ajusting to a new Canadian Life!!!
Reply
Belle
3/2/2020 10:43:03 am
I really like your topic, and I understand your feelings. I was just like you when I fist came here.You are brave, you made changes even though that you are afraid. You tried hard to improve your English skill, and now we can see a obvious improvement. And I really like the poem at the end of you blog.
Reply
Emilie
3/2/2020 10:43:32 am
I really like your blog. You wrote about a topic that you just can really understand if you had a similar situation where you had to say goodbye. I can imagine how hard it was for you to be in a completely new environment with nobody and with the pressure of your parents. Thanks for sharing your experience about this private topic.
Reply
Georgia
3/2/2020 10:43:49 am
This is a really well written blog. Really deep and quite sad how you really didn't like it here at first, but good for you for adapting and coming out of your comfort zone. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Alexa Kusel
3/2/2020 10:45:19 am
This was a really inspiring blog. This reminds me to be open to change because good things can come from it. Sometimes being in a new environment can be hard, but theirs always positive things that can come from it. Thanks for sharing your story!
Reply
janaka
3/2/2020 10:45:29 am
I thought this is a very well written blog. I think this a super supportive blog because in life, you never know what somebody else is going through. They could have a smile on their faces everyday and still be hurting on the inside. This blog is another reminder to never judge anybody else because you never know what is happening on the inside. Always be supportive towards other people to make them feel comfortable.
Reply
Lukas
3/2/2020 10:46:05 am
Really awesome blog Shirley, I’ve never really thought about the challenges international students face when leaving their life as they know it, and coming to a new country with a different culture and trying to make new friends. I found your story really interesting because of this. I’ve spent my whole life in this town so I’ve never gotten to experience something like this, and I’m sure it’s extrmely difficult. I’m definitely going to have a different view of exchange students after this blog.
Reply
kaelen
3/2/2020 10:46:27 am
Thank you for sharing, after I read this article, I can empathize. After I have read and shared your favorite poems, I also want to share with you a sentence I like very much, "Separation is for a better encounter." The separation is for independence, and I think this is one of the reasons why you choose to study abroad. This experience will be unforgettable. When you have learned something, make some achievements. When you meet your parents and friends again, it will be different. Family is always the strongest backup, and why do we not work hard towards our goals. Efforts will not turn into fruitful 100%, but they will not be fruitless without effort.
Reply
Emily Sasse
3/2/2020 10:50:59 am
I remember that moment at the airport pretty well to the only difference was I was crying a lot. i couldn't handle leaving all those people there behind. i didn't know what was coming and there first weeks i felt extremely lost and lonely. i am so grateful that i didn't have to deal with a bid language barrier that time because it was already super hard. i am really happy that you got out of that loneliness and now found people you belong too.
Reply
Amelie
3/2/2020 10:51:41 am
Wow, I'm speechless, I haven't been in a situation like that in my life and this blog sent a powerful message, I'm glad you took a step forward and went out of your comfort zone, it was eye opening, I hope this can show us all that not everyone sees potential in us but when we ask for help and step out of the box we have our whole future in our hands.
Reply
Maya Sanghera
3/2/2020 10:59:58 am
Wow, this was a very powerful blog. Thank you for sharing. I don't think we understand the struggle it is for International students to drop everything and just come to Canada. There are a lot of issues International students face, which you described your personal struggles. you have opened another perspective for us to understand.
Reply
Eunseo
9/16/2022 02:26:59 pm
I love this blog and I relate to you from the same perspective as an international student. This blog have many similarities in my life. When I was first time to came Canada, I couldn't speak any English. In the beginning, I was so disappointed at me, and I was so depressed. But now, I am trying to break language barrier and trying the best I can.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
|